Many govt employees not present at workplace but sign attendance registers in advance: State minister  

State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin today (31 August) expressed dissatisfaction over government employees arriving late and signing attendance registers in advance after an unannounced inspection of land offices in Narayanganj.

Helal visited the offices of three land circles in the Khanpur area of the city at around 8:30am and he found a number of employees absent.

However, many of those absent had already signed the attendance registers, he said. “Many employees had signed the attendance register even though they were not present. This is in no way acceptable.”

The state minister added that he collected the necessary information during the inspection and that administrative action will be taken over any irregularities.

He remarked that the people are the true owners of the country and that providing services to them is the responsibility of government officials and employees, not an act of charity.

Government employees must therefore ensure timely attendance and provide services to citizens with sincerity and a strong sense of responsibility, he added.

Helal also highlighted shortcomings in the security arrangements at the offices, noting that several female employees are simultaneously carrying out administrative and judicial duties.

He said necessary steps will be taken to ensure their safety.

He also stressed that the issue cannot be addressed through punitive measures alone and that a change in the mindset of government employees is also needed to improve public services.